Who we are

We are a charity, run by elected trustees with a small supporting staff, here to protect the Commoners’ rights and the lands and rivers of the Town & Manor of Hungerford.

The Commoners’ ancient rights date back to the 14th Century, and are administered by the Hocktide Court made up of trustees, appointed by the jury from eligible Commoners. The Hocktide Court sits in the spring of each year, on the second Tuesday after Easter.

The officers of the Hocktide Court include the Constable, Portrieve, Bailiff, 4 Tutti Men, 10 Water Bailiffs, 10 Overseers of the Common, 3 Keepers of the Keys to the Common Coffer, 2 Ale Tasters, a Bellman, Blacksmith and an Orangeman. See below for who does what.

A Steward, who is normally not a Commoner, is appointed to run the Court to ensure justice and fair play.

Current Trustees

Ellie Dickins,
Constable, Water Bailiff and Overseer of the Common

Ellie became a Commoner in 1999 when she bought 97 High Street and opened her shoe shop. In 2003 she became a Tutti Man and Water Bailiff, and in 2015 an Overseer and Trustee.

As Constable, Ellie chairs formal Town & Manor meetings, and is a representative for the Commoners’ interests.

The Immediate Past President of the Society of Shoe Fitters, Ellie’s passion has led to her become an ambassador for foot health, giving talks across the country.

Barbara Barr,
Trustee, Croft Secretary, Water Bailiff and Keeper of the Keys to the Common Coffer

Though she probably wouldn’t admit it, Barbara is something of a trail-blazer. A Trustee in 2006, she became the first ever woman Constable just one year later, an office she held for three years.

A career school teacher in her former life, today Barbara oversees the daily management of The Croft, sits on the Fishery and Buildings Committees, and is the proprietor of a local restaurant.

Tyrell Bossom,
Trustee and Overseer of the Common

A man of many roles, Tyrell is the Secretary of the Finance Committee, member of the Buildings and Commons Committees, and when required, Deputy Bellman and Crier of the Courts.

Tyrell has a long history with the Town & Manor, having been an elected Trustee since 2000, and Constable from 2000-2002. An accountant by profession, Tyrell also runs his own retail needlework business with his wife.

Anthony Buckwell,
Trustee

Anthony serves on the Buildings and Finance Committees, having been first elected as a Trustee in 2011.

He brings a wealth of experience gained as an International Bank Board Member, BBC Regional Council Advisory Member, trustee for charities including African Flying Doctors, Newbury Corn Exchange Chairman, Mayor of Hungerford 2010-11 and Town Councillor 2008-11. Anthony has lived locally for 35 years and is a keen fisherman and daily walker on the Common and Marsh.

Greg Furr,
Trustee and Water Bailiff

Greg Furr is a man of many titles, including Steward to the Hocktide Court, Deputy Constable and member of Fishery Buildings and Finance Committees, as well as past Constable and past Honorary Fishery Manager.

A Commoner, goldsmith, designer and entrepreneur, Greg loves fly-fishing and classic cars, has an appreciation of fine wine, and once even appeared in a Rod Stewart video (albeit accidently).

Fiona Hobson,
Trustee, Water Bailiff, Tutti Pole Dresser, Overseer of the Common and Bailiff

Elected a trustee in 2016, Fiona serves on the Marketing, Fishery and Commons Committees.

Fiona has a long family history of offering service to the Town & Manor, following both her parents and her Great Grandfather 100 years on as Tithingman.

In addition, Fiona is Church Secretary at The United Reformed Church, member of Town Team Hungerford, and has previously sat on the committees of The Chamber of Commerce and The Hungerford Historical Association.

Robert James,
Trustee, Commons & Land Secretary and Steward

Robert has a long history of service to the Town & Manor, having been a Tutti Man in 1967, Trustee since 1971, and Constable from 1978-80. In addition, Robert’s been Commons & Land Secretary since 1998, Hocktide Court Steward from 2002-2017, and still serves on the Fishery and Finance Committees.

Involvement in the Town & Manor is something of a family tradition. Robert’s grandfather, Ernest Frank James, was a Tutti Man (in 1938), Fishery Secretary and Trustee.

Peter has lived in Hungerford for more than 15 years, and has been associated with the Town & Manor, both on the Fishing Committee, then as Honorary Fishery Manager, from 2010 and 2015.

A senior Sales and Marketing executive in the IT industry, Peter runs his own Sales and Marketing consultancy.

Peter lives locally with and his wife and daughter. When he’s not working, he’s a keen fly fishermen.

Caroline Lumley,
Trustee

A resident of Hungerford for nearly 20 years, Caroline was elected as a Trustee in 2013.

Caroline is responsible for the Town & Manor Buildings and Marketing, bringing experience gained from her own Management & Communications Training company, and as a previous Chair of the Friends of the Watermill Theatre.

Caroline is married to local actor and Commoner, Nick Lumley, and in her spare time paints with her daughter.

Bruce Mayhew,
Trustee, Water Bailiff, Overseer of the Common and Keeper of the Keys to the Common Coffer

Bruce has been a member of the Buildings, Fishery and Commons committees for 30 years. In addition, Bruce ran the Town Hall complex for 10 years, was elected a Trustee in 1993 and Constable in 1996, during which he published ‘Hungerford 2000’.

Before retiring in 2014, Bruce practiced and lectured on dentistry for 55 years. He served on the Hungerford Town Council and was chairman of Newbury Round Table and Hungerford Rotary Club.

Chris Scorey,
Trustee

Elected as a Trustee in 2013, Chris serves on the Commons and Croft Committees, is deputy to the Commons Secretary, and has particular interests in Freeman’s Marsh, Hungerford Marsh and the Croft.

Chris has 40 years’ experience in international trade, during which he received the Queen’s Award for Export. He is also involved in various local businesses, is a Chairman of the Hungerford Town Plan, and former Chairman of Hungerford Tennis Club.

Julian Tubb,
Bellman & Crier of the Courts and Assistant Bailiff

A key figure in Town & Manor events, Julian became Bellman in April 2012 following the death of his uncle Robin Tubb, who had been Bellman for nearly 55 years.

Julian is the latest in a long family line of Bellmen, which incredibly goes back more than 130 years.

He is a retired Fire and Rescue Administrator for Royal Berkshire County.

Jonathan Welfare,
Trustee

A trustee since 2016, Jonathan is a member of both the Commons and the Marketing Committees.

A career in the Public and Private sectors is combined with charitable work going back 45 years: as Chairman, Trustee, Chief Executive and even founder of a wide range of charities. Jonathan is also a long-standing committee member of the Hungerford Historical Association.

Jonathan moved to Hungerford with his family 18 years ago, and can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Supporting staff

Jed Ramsay,
CEO

In 2017 Jed became our first Chief Executive Officer. In addition to managing the team and running things on a day to day basis, Jed will be working to modernise the charity whilst retaining its historic traditions, and reports to the Constable.

Jed has worked in river and land management for the past 15 years, and is Chair of the Rivers & Coastal Group for the Chartered Institute of Water & Environment Management. In his spare time, you might well find Jed motorbiking around the country lanes.

Robert Starr,
Water Keeper and Assistant Bailiff

A lifelong fisherman, Robert manages the rivers and fields of the Town & Manor, a post he has held since 1992. He is also a co-opted member of the Fishery and Commons Committees.

Growing up on the Longford Estate, renowned for its fishing, Robert started fishing when he was just four years old. He later attended Sparsholt College Fishery Management Course, amongst other relevant courses.

Dani Winslet,
Events Manager

Dani is the go-to person for all Town Hall and Corn Exchange events. She’s been part of the team since 2014. Her experience in event management, and wealth of local knowledge – Dani has lived in Hungerford for 20 years, make her perfectly placed to advise on all aspects of organising functions and special events.

When she’s not at work, Dani loves painting and the outdoors, walking for miles with her two rescue dogs.

Jimmy Hill,
Assistant River Keeper

Jimmy has been part of the team as assistant Water Keeper since 2015. He completed the three-year Sparsholt Fishery Management Course in 2013.

As well as being a keen fisherman, Jimmy also enjoys outdoor music events and anything pink and glittery, we’re assuming at the outdoor music events and not when fishing.

John Morgan,
Keeper of the Town Hall

John has been employed as Keeper of the Town Hall and Corn Exchange since 2000.

He works alongside Brian Liddiard to ensure the upkeep of the building, advising and assisting customers with the smooth running of their meetings, events and functions, in fact all of the activities within the building.

In his free time, John is an active member of Hungerford Bowls Club.

Brian Liddard,
Keeper of the Town Hall

Brian has been employed as Keeper of the Town Hall and Corn Exchange since 2007.

Working with John Morgan, he ensures the upkeep of the building, advising and assisting customers with the smooth running of their meetings, events and functions, in fact all of the activities within the building.

Away from work, Brian is a member of the Hungerford Bowls Club, and can often be found at Hungerford Football Club, where he is an avid supporter.

Sue Everett,
Consultant

Sue has worked with the Town & Manor as a consultant since 2008. She advises on environmental land management, especially the environmental stewardship agreements with Natural England.

Sue is a Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (MCIEEM), has a Geography Degree and Post-graduate Diploma (Advanced Energy and Environmental Systems). Her special interests are sustainable farming and grasslands. More information about her work is on her website.

Sally Wallington,
Consultant

Sally has been a consultant to the Town & Manor since 2008. Her focus is Freeman’s Marsh,
where she has special responsibility for the development of access and education, which includes annual study programmes of the river life, wild birds, plants and wild flowers, bats and insects.

Sally has more than25 years’ experience in conservation and land management.

Sheree Cottle,
Consultant

A Human Resources Consultant with more than 20 years’ experience, Sheree has worked with the Town & Manor since 2015. Sheree is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (MCIPD).

Outside of her role as a Human Resources Generalist, Sheree used to be a singer in a country band, and now writes songs, articles and bakes cakes – apparently, everyone who visits goes home a stone heavier!

Here’s a full list of the Roles within the Town & Manor of Hungerford, and who fills each role: